HoCo 8th Grader's Artwork To Appear On Cover Of Book

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Clarksville Middle School eighth grader Olivia Shim’s illustration has been selected for the cover of a new book, “Step out of the Blues with Gabby’s Red Shoes” by author and teacher Carol Van Gorp.

Van Gorp has been developing the Gabby book series for several years. The onset of the coronavirus pandemic inspired her to quickly finish and publish her first book in the series, which covers Gabby dealing with sadness to help children during the pandemic and other difficult times. With Van Gorp’s love of children's artwork, she held a national illustration competition to feature student submissions in the book.

Shim learned about the opportunity last spring through a gifted and talented writer workshop led by her own resource teacher Margaret Brothman’s. Brothman often shares contests as a way to engage her students during virtual learning and she learned about the opportunity from Elkridge Landing Middle School’s Gifted and Talented Resource Teacher Pattie Holy-Ilenda, a friend of the author.

“The picture I created is Gabby walking in the rain,” said Shim, who has always had an interest in art. “When I heard this part of the book in Ms. Van Gorp’s video, I immediately thought about the times I played in the rain as a preschooler, jumping from puddle to puddle in my Hello Kitty rain boots. Those memories got me attached to that particular line, hence why I decided to illustrate it.”

Van Gorp said the second she laid eyes on Shim's artwork, she knew it was Gabby and it was perfect for the cover.

Of the wide variety of types of art featured in the book, Shim’s illustration is the only digitally created piece. Included among the 22 book pictures are two more by additional Howard County Public School System artists. Janet Sun entered the contest as a Clarksville eighth grader and is now a River Hill High School freshman and Chaitra Bhumula, who was an Elkridge Landing eighth grader during last year’s competition and now a Howard High School freshman.

“I feel overjoyed about winning this contest. I wish for other kids to see themselves in my illustration of Gabby and feel less alone during these difficult times,” Shim said.

“Step out of the Blues with Gabby’s Red Shoes” includes activities and common core-based ideas to support families and teachers working with children who feel sad. To learn more about the book, visit the author’s website.